Georgia Southern University’s police Chief Mike Russell is retiring in May, and a female officer, Maj. Laura McCullough, will serve as interim chief until the vacated position is filled.
Russell will begin his retirement effective May 31, said Jan Bond, associate vice president of GSU’s Office of Marketing & Communications.
“Having served more than 34 years in law enforcement, Russell has been the chief of police for the university’s Office of Public Safety since 2009,” she said. Russell has been with the office since 1988. “Under his leadership, the university experienced an overall reduction in crime including theft, and added 16 critical staff positions including 12 certified officers. “
McCullough began her career with the GSU Office of Public Safety in 2005 as a patrol officer and has since served as a patrol sergeant, criminal investigations captain and most recently assistant director, or major, Bond said. “She also is a 2013 graduate of the FBI National Academy, has participated in the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police executive training and also is a P.O.S.T. Certified forensic technician.” McCullough holds a B.S. in education from Samford University, a M.S. in education from Georgia State University and a M.S. in event management from the University of Tennessee, she said.
GSU President Brooks A. Keel believes McCullough will continue to uphold safety standards as the university moves forward with protecting its campus community, she said.
“It is a sad day for Georgia Southern to have Chief Russell leave his post as our chief of police,” Keel said in a statement released Thursday. “We honor him for his many years with the university. He will always be part of the Georgia Southern family. I have every confidence that Maj. McCullough and the entire Office of Public Safety will continue to provide outstanding service to this community.”
The the Georgia Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators awarded Russell the Alex K. Johnson Member of the Year award in 2011, Russell also received the Eagle Leadership Award in 2012 and the Commitment to Advocacy Award by the Georgia Southern Sexual Assault Response Team in 2013.
“It has been a privilege serving Georgia Southern University and this community,” Russell said. “I have had the pleasure of working alongside many wonderful people, including the other public safety officers, over the years. I have no doubt that Maj. McCullough will carry on the mission of keeping this campus safe. Her professionalism and dedication is a tremendous asset to this University.”
Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 125 degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education, Bond said.